Andrew Fenwick – Navigate the SA rollercoaster with these 10 Business Tips

Entrepreneur Andrew Fenwick is Proudly South African. It’s thanks to people like Andrew that many South Africans have jobs and can support their families. The KwaZulu-Natal business player wants to see the economy and business environment improve and is always putting forward positive suggestions and solutions. In his latest piece, Andrew highlights the 10 business tips that he found helpful in running the family business, which has been in existence for 25 years. – Stuart Lowman

by *Andrew Fenwick

Durban in winter is fantastic. The weather is fine and there is so much going on. Even the sardines come past us in their millions. It can be quite a spectacle, the sardine run.

As always, South Africa is continuing on its roller-coaster ride, economically, politically and socially. Add to this the new BBBEE legislation, and I think many of us have been battling to see light at the end of the tunnel. In the midst of all of this I have had offers from 3 different countries to open up our business in their countries.

I think these push and pull factors have been the reason for lots of farmers and business people looking outside of our borders. These are all people that provide jobs and help keep the economy going! Losing them cannot be good for our country. And yet more and more business people are feeling more welcome outside of South Africa than in it! This must change.

I know a few farmers and business people that are making plans outside of South Africa, in recent months. Perhaps you may know of a few as well. How many jobs will go with them, these people that I know and that you may know?

For a while I have wanted to share a few things that I think could of to assist businesses in South Africa. So often tips come from other countries, but these tips below are mainly for South Africans. Please forgive me if you already know about these things, but I have found them helpful for me in running our business. I have been in our family business for a little more than 15 years of its 25 year existence.

Risk – Look into some insurance for reducing your business risk. Also don’t put all your eggs into one basket, when it comes to customers.

Smartphones – I was recently shown that there are a few ways to get your battery to last longer. Because 4G is not everywhere it is better to set the phone onto 3G, at this early stage of 4G rollout. Setting the phone to location ‘off’ also uses less battery. Get a portable power bank charger, as a backup charger. Lastly, set data limits on your smartphone, it will reduce the risk of these scary stories we sometimes hear about, that result in huge bills! And when travelling overseas, set data-roaming to “off”.

Synchronise – Synchronise your phone calendar to your email calendar on your computer.

Excel – If copying and pasting in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, press “Ctrl” & “C” to copy and “Ctrl” & “V” to paste. These and lots of other shortcuts can also be used in Word and Powerpoint.

Backups – Do backups of data that is on your computers. Also do backups of info on your phones. Only when one of these items disappears or breaks will you understand why this is important!

Suppliers – Find the right suppliers to your business. People that you can work with and grow with you.

Government grants – Find out what government grants are available. There are people in government that do care and are trying to assist businesses to grow. I know plenty of them. What an asset! We don’t hear enough about what thousands of people do behind the scenes, to support businesses in South Africa.

Social Media – Get to know more about social media and what could work for you, to create awareness and grow sales.

Business Advice Programmes – There are increasingly more programmes on TV about running businesses and others, look out for them. It’s great to hear from other people’s experiences.

Training – It is so important to develop your people, as the world changes. Some training is required by law (safety, first aid and fire training). Other on the job training is also important. Lean Manufacturing is a way of life and can apply not just in manufacturing, but all sorts of businesses.

More details of the above points can be found on the internet, to varying degrees.

There are a growing number of people that carry signs on the streets saying “Will work for food” and other similar ones. Load shedding and now possible water cuts in Durban are most unpleasant, but imagine having no job

Thanks for employing people, whatever you do, and thanks again for buying products proudly made in South Africa. Imagine that whenever you buy something, it could be taking a person off the street. A pity that it’s often a person off the street in another country.

We were fortunate to have sold a few belts to an American recently. One of the belts was going to go to a friend of his. I would have something to boast about if his friend, Jeb Bush, became the next President of the USA.

*After studying Mechanical Engineering, Andrew Fenwick joined a car manufacturer for 5 years, as  Production Engineer (1994-99). He completed an Advanced Business Programme (part-time) before working in the UK to gain more manufacturing experience. He returned to SA after two years to join his father’s business, Saddler Belts & Leathercraft (Pty) Ltd, which has been in operation since 1990. He has worked in various roles, from delivery driver to production. He was eventually appointed general manager and, two years ago, managing director. Follow him on twitter @andrewfdurbs.